The old man said worriedly, "The Ghost Doctor Sect has the strength and numbers now. If it doesn't work, let them wait until that medicinal seedling is born. They will come after they harvest it. It's best not to disturb them for the time being."
Wang Li clenched his fist and said, "Things have come to this point, are we still afraid of them! They ruined our lives, and we'll ruin theirs too."
Song Hao said, "Don't worry, everyone. Tomorrow, Brother Wang and I will go take a look first. If there is indeed any danger, we won't cut in. The Ghost Doctor Sect has made things like this; it's time for them to settle things."
At this moment, a middle-aged man next to him said, "There must be something strange in the old mining area. Once I saw a few people from the Ghost Doctor Sect go in, and after a short while they all ran out in a panic, as if something had frightened them. I haven't seen those people since, and I don't know where they went."
The old man nodded and said, "The old mining area is indeed a bit strange. When I was young, I went in once by chance and heard strange sounds, as if they were coming from very deep underground. It scared me away at the time."
Wang Li asked in surprise, "So, that medicinal seedling didn't grow from the ore, but was a living thing?"
The old man said, "Who knows? In any case, the Ghost Doctor Sect must have something that attracted them to come here."
Song Hao said, "The Ghost Doctor Sect came here several years ago to wait for the substance in the copper mine to emerge at a certain time. Only they know this secret. If all else fails, we'll try to find out from the Ghost Doctor Sect."
The old man shook his head and said, "Although there are quite a few people in the village who have joined the Ghost Doctor's Sect, most of them are not capable of managing affairs, and they don't know much about important matters."
Wang Li said, "Seeing is believing. Let's go and check it out in person tomorrow, and then we'll know everything."
Song Hao smiled and said, "Alright!"
Chapter 41 Medicinal Seedlings
Yuehe Village, the residence of the Ghost Doctor Sect.
Gui Feng was furious with the two guards in the main hall. Just as he brought Song Hao back to Yuehe Manor, before he could even interrogate him, a mysterious figure stormed the manor gate. Gui Feng led his men to meet the attack, but before they could even engage, the mysterious figure retreated. Upon returning, he received news that Song Hao had subdued the guards and escaped.
"That kid knows acupuncture; if you're not careful, you'll fall for his tricks," one of the guards explained.
Gui Feng remained silent with a gloomy face. After thinking for a moment, he waved his hand and said, "You may go first!"
Upon seeing this, the two guards retreated in fear.
At this moment, a person emerged from behind. He was thin and small, with a pointed mouth and monkey-like face. His small, beady eyes darted around, and he was clearly a treacherous and cunning individual. This person was Hong Huang, the strategist of the Ghost Doctor's Sect. He was cunning and resourceful, and the person Ghost Wind relied on most.
"Sect Master, something strange happened today!" Hong Huang said, stroking his chin.
“Song Hao didn’t come alone,” Gui Feng nodded and said.
“It’s also possible that the Ji family used a feint to kidnap Song Hao,” Hong Huang said.
Gui Feng shook his head and said, "As far as I know, there is no expert in the Ji family who can come and go so freely. Besides, they wouldn't dare to oppose us."
Hong Huang said, "Don't underestimate that old man Ji; he's very cunning."
Gui Feng snorted coldly and said, "So what? He won't survive unless he hands over the 'miracle cure'. I don't believe a cripple can run to the sky."
“The Ji family is under our surveillance, and they won’t be able to escape anytime soon. As for this Song Hao, we don’t know if he’s real or not, so to be on the safe side, let him be for now. The medicinal seedlings in the copper mine will be ready in a few days. This is a top priority, a crucial moment, and we shouldn’t cause any unforeseen complications,” Hong Huang said.
“What you say is very true, sir!” Gui Feng nodded in approval.
Gui Feng continued, "Our Ghost Doctor Sect has been watching this Yuehe Copper Mine for hundreds of years, never expecting that the medicinal seedling would sprout and emerge at our time. Back in the Ming Dynasty, when this copper mine had just been opened, our ancestors discovered a rare and precious medicine growing on the vein. However, at that time, the seedling had just sprouted and would not grow into a usable seedling for hundreds of years. In order to ensure that our descendants could possess this rare medicine, our ancestors devised a method to infect the miners with a strange disease. Anyone who entered the copper mine would inevitably contract this ailment. As a result, the copper mine was later closed, all to prevent the medicinal seedling from being damaged during the mining process. It was truly a painstaking effort!"
"Yes! This is a secret that our Ghost Doctor Sect has kept for hundreds of years, and it will be realized in the next few days. It is also because the sect leader is so fortunate that the medicinal seedlings only grew up when the sect leader was in charge of the Ghost Doctor Sect." Hong Huang said with a flattering expression.
"Yes! The time has come for my Ghost Doctor Sect to flourish! No matter how good the medical skills are, they are useless without medicine. In the future, with the world's rare medicines and the miraculous prescriptions that have no medicine, the doctors and patients of the world will respect my Ghost Doctor Sect." Ghost Wind said smugly.
Hong Huang said, "Indeed! It's not in vain that the Ghost Doctor Sect has been protecting and cultivating that medicinal seedling here for so many years. I've heard that this medicinal seedling can cure all diseases in the world, and it won't be damaged even after being used a hundred times. It's truly a miraculous medicine."
Gui Feng said, "Although the secrets left by the ancestors of the Ghost Doctor Sect say this, they also mentioned that this medicinal seedling has effects they are unaware of. Perhaps it is a divine elixir of immortality!"
Hong Huang said, "Although the elixir of immortality is a legend, there are indeed miraculous medicines in the world that can prolong human life. Even if one cannot achieve immortality, living for several hundred years is probably not difficult. The medicinal seedling may be the legendary seedling of immortality. If a person obtains this seedling, he can live as long as the seedling!"
Gui Feng was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Mr. Hong, have you heard any rumors about these medicinal seedlings?"
Upon hearing this, Hong Huang's expression changed, and he quickly gave a dry laugh, saying, "Only my Ghost Doctor Sect knows about this medicinal herb; other medical sects do not. How could I possibly have heard of it? What I just said was merely wild speculation."
Gui Feng shook his head and said, "Mr. Hong is learned and knowledgeable, and has read all the medical books in the world. When the medicinal seedlings are born, there are some things I don't understand, so I will have to ask you for advice."
"Your subordinate will do his best!" Hong Huang said with a bow and a smile.
"Then it's a deal!" Gui Feng said with a smile.
"By the way, the Ghost Doctor Sect is at a critical juncture. We need to strengthen our defenses at the copper mine. Once we get the medicinal seedlings, the Ghost Doctor Sect must immediately withdraw from here, and we must not leak any information during this time. Also, we must pay special attention to the Ji family; we absolutely must obtain the Divine Formula without Medicine. As long as these two things are successful, I will provide you with everything you need, Mr. Hong. Of course, Mr. Hong will also share in any benefits that result from these two things." Ghost Wind patted Hong Huang's shoulder and smiled.
Hong Huang hurriedly replied, "Sect Leader, rest assured, I will do my utmost to help you succeed. As long as you trust me, there's no need for any other rewards."
Gui Feng laughed and said, "Sir, there's no need to be so polite. Let's share the benefits!"
The next morning, Song Hao accompanied Wang Li to various villagers' homes to treat patients with acupuncture, primarily focusing on regulating the meridians and blood flow. Although the symptoms caused by the secret medicine the Ghost Doctor Sect had secretly administered to these women were severe, they were fortunately limited to the meridians and did not affect the internal organs. While administering the acupuncture, Song Hao recalled the Luo family's demonic needles and sighed inwardly, realizing that every medical school in the world has its own secrets. The right methods can save lives, while the wrong ones can harm them. Although there are distinctions between good and evil in medicine, the most important factor lies in the physician's heart.
The villagers were astonished to see that Song Hao had cured the strange illnesses that plagued the patients with just a few thin needles, and they began to look at Song Hao in a new light.
Song Hao said, "The secret medicine administered by the Ghost Doctor Sect only obstructs the meridians, causing all sorts of ailments. If not treated properly, it can become a serious illness and even kill people if left untreated for too long."
Wang Li said, "Who says otherwise? Some of the older ones couldn't withstand the turmoil and have already passed away."
Song Hao said indignantly, "They have been operating here for many years, harming people, seizing property and accumulating wealth, all for that kind of medicinal seedling. Today I will definitely find it, even if it means destroying it, I will not let the Ghost Doctor Sect get their hands on it, and I will not let them waste all their efforts."
Wang Li said angrily, "That's right, we can't let them get their hands on it. We'll make sure they don't get what they're so eager to have."
Song Hao's decision was supported by the villagers, and everyone began to prepare for Song Hao and Wang Li to enter the copper mine, providing them with several necessary mining lamps, water, and food.
As Song Hao and Wang Li set off towards the copper mine with their backpacks, it was already evening. After walking a few miles, they climbed to the top of a mountain, and Wang Li pointed ahead and said, "This is the Yuehe Copper Mine."
Looking around, Song Hao saw several mining machines standing in a valley, next to a deep mine entrance, where a dozen people were walking back and forth on guard.
Wang Li added, "That abandoned mine tunnel is on the mountainside, and even few people in the village know about it. We can enter the mine from there."